Thermostatic cut-out switch and plug



Aug. 17 1926. 1,596,018

G. MUELLER THERIOSTATIC CUT OUT SWITCH AND PLUG Filed Dec. 19. 1923 i giI8 INVEN'TOR.

ATTORNEY` PATENT OFFICE.

eUs'ravaMUELLEa, or CLEVELAND, omo.

`THEBMOSTA'LIGV CUT-OUT SWITCH AND PLUG.

Application led December 19, 1923. Serial No. 681,546.

. The present invention relates to a thermostatic cut out switch forelectrically heated sadirons and like devices where it is desirable toopen the circuit upon a predetermined risc in temperature, and moreparticularly relates to a plug connection for'such electrical device inwhich such switch may conveniently be housed so. as to make it adaptablefor use with sadirons now in use. The switch mechanism is mounted withinthe usual type of split connecting plug which is provided with anoperating knob or the like extending outwardly of the plug so that theswitch maybe reset to close the circuit without disturbingl the plugitself.

The Aannexed drawing and the following description set forth in det-ailcertain mechani'sm embodyingthe invention, such disfclosed meansconstituting, however, but one 'A of .various mechanical forms 1n whichthe principle of the invention may be used.

said annexed drawin j Fig. 1 is a plan view of tie plug and switchmechanism with the cover of the plug removed; Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryplan view of the switch 'in of position; 3 is a section on the line 3-3of Fig. 1; 1 section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and, Fig.

5 is'a :sectional view of a detail of the throw out mechanism taken atright anglesv .to

Fig. e.

y '.The present device comprises a split collV 'Iiecting plug 1, thecover 2 of which is removed but 1s similar to the body portion. 3 and-is provided with the necessary recesses,

corresponding to those in the portion 3 to form thel required interiorchambers. The

-.with an a `cord 7 an the wire gripping spring 8 and two plug portionsare provided with two aligned a ertures 4 -to receive the screws 5 orthe like used to secure the portions together. At one end the plug 1sprovided erture 6 to receive the extension the body portion has tworrecesses 9 and 10 extendin into longitudinal recesses 11 and 12.. -In te recess 11 is mounted a conduct- 111g and provided with a contact screw17 at the top receiving one wire 18 of the cord 7. At the bottom theystrip terminates in a split connecting sprin 19 adapted to receive oneof the usual con ucting pins of the iron..

The other recess 12 1s larger and is provided at the bottom with a splits ring which is secured at its top to the plug body Aby means of a screw26, the screw passing 'g. 4,is a.

ing it in strip 15 held in place by a screw 16"* through an aperturedear 27 of a connecting bar 28 which is looped at its lowerl end as at 29and provided with a second ear 30 which is secured kto the plug body bya screw 31 or the like.

A In the loop 29 is mounted one end of a thcrmostatic bar 35 ofcomposite construction which angles upwardly inthe recess and isprovided at its upper end with a contact lug 36. The other wire 37 oftheeX- tens'ion cord a second contact strip 39 secured to the plug bodyby screws 40 and 41. This strip is,

provided with a U-shaped lower end 42. The movable switch membercomprises a bar 43 having a V-shaped lower end v44 and a split upperportion 45 having aligned tapped apertures 46 receiving an adjust-ablecontact screw 47 provided with a. contact knob 48 at. its inner end andan operating knob 49 at the other end, the knob extending outf wardly ofthe plug body throughsuitable':

slots 50 in the body and cover respectively. This 'bar 43 is pivota-llymounted on a pin 51 extending through apertures in the U-shaped end 42.

The bar 43 is spring actuated as to' positively throw both to the on andoil position. In the U-shaped end 42 of the contact strip is mounted aninverted rocking member having a depression 61 at the top in which the Vend 4410i the bar 43 rocks. Thelower ends 62 of the'member 60 pass belowthe bottom of the end 42 of the contact strip. In the chamber formed bythe inverted member and the end 42 is mounted a rock piece 63 having arounded or V- is connected to a.,screw 38 of shaped bottom and anupwardly extending pin 64. A coil spring 65 is mounted on the pinbetween therockpiece and the depression 61 in the top of the rockingmember, thus normally pressing this member upwardly against the pivotalbar and holdeither its on or olf position and causing it to break ormake contact with a snap action to prevent arcing.

The device may 'be adjusted to throw out for different temperatures bymoving the wd- 'ustment screw 47 in or out' and thus varying the inposition of the screw and pivotal bar 43. The split bar '.end holds theadjusting screw tight enough to prevent accidental.

rotation an corresponding change in* adjustment.

The entire device is compactly mounted in a connecting' plug ofconvenient size and 15 a self contained unit which' may be used with anyelectrical heating device, such as a sadiron, .electric toaster or thelike and it protects the entire device against overheating as well as toallow a predetermined maximum temperature tobe used.V Furthermore, theoperating knob makes a convenient cut out switch for the operator sothat no extra switch is necessary. The operating mechanism is simple andsturdy and easy to manufact-ure and assemble.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being madeas regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention 1. In a thermostatic cut-out. switch and plug the combinationwith a hol-low plug member having contacts, of a movable thermostaticmember connected to one Contact. a switch member' pivotally mounted inthe plug body and provided with a Contact extending eXteriorly of saidbody, said switch member being resiliently held in both its closed andopen positions and being adapted to snap open upon a predeterminedmovement of said thermostatic member, said contact member being providedexteriorly of the body Ywith a handle to operate the switchindependently of the thermostatic member.

2. In a thermostatic cut-out switch and plug the combination with ahollow plug member having contacts of a movable thermostatic memberconnected to one contact, a switch member pivotally mounted in the plugbody and provided with an adjustable contact extending exteriorly ofsaid body, said switch member beingresiliently held in both its close'dand open positions and being adapted to snap open upon a predeterminedmovement of said thermostatic member, said adjustable Contact memberbeing provided exteriorly of the body with a handle to op-.

crate the switch independently of the thermostatic member.

3. In a cut-out switch construction, the combination of a movablethermostatic element connectedin the circuit, a pivotally I `mounted`switch member connected in the Circuit, resilient means adapted to throwsaid switch member into its on' position after predetermined movement,and a contact member mounted in said switch member and adapted tocontact said thcrmostatic element to close the circuit, said Contactmember also forming a handle for independent manual operation of saidswitch.

t. In a connecting plug for sa'dirons and the like, thecombination witha plug member y I having a hollowed-out body portion and connectingcont-acts therein, a movable switch member mounted in said body, athermostatic element in said body adapted upon movement to move saidswitch member Ito its oli position, and an adjustable contact carried bysaid switch member for setting predetermined movement, and a contactvmember adjustably mounted in said switch member and adapted to Contactsaid thermostatic element to close the circuit, said contact memberalsoforming a handle for independent manual operation of said switch.v

6. In a cut out switch construction, the combination of a movablethermostatic element connected in the circuit, a pivotally mountedswitch member connected in the circuit, a resilient means adapted tothrow said switch member into its ott position after predeterminedmovement,and an adjustable contact member having screw threadedconneet-ion with said switch member for setting said switch to cut outat varying predetermined temperatures, said contact member beingprovided at one end with a contact adapted to close the circuit throughsaid thermostatic element and having an operating knob at the other endadapted to allow said switch to be operated independently.

Signed `by me, this 15th day of December, 1923. Y

GUs'rAvE MUELLER.

